Firing locomotive-engines.



UNITED STATES Patented September 27, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. STROUSE, OF OSKALOOSA, IOWA.

FlRINe LoooMoTlvE-ENGlNEs. y

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,786', datedSeptember` 27, 1904. Application filed October 9,1903. Serial No.176,357. (No model.) Y

T0 @ZZ whom t may concern.' A

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. STRoUsE, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at Oskaloosa, in the county of Mahaska and State ofIowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FiringLocomotive-Engines, of which the followingis a specilication.

This invention relates to steam boilers and furnaces, and particularlyto that class thereunder known as fuel-feeding devices.

An object of the invention is to produce an apparatus that will conveythe coal from an engine-tender and deliver it-to a suitable hopper and,in combination therewith, means for conducting the fuel to thefire-boxwithout impairing or disturbing the draft through the fire-box, as theopening through which the fuel is fed is automatically closed with thereturn of the fuel-feeding agent, while the fuel-feeding agent itselfobstructs the opening when in the act of delivering the fuel.

Furthermore, an object of the invention is to produce a novel form ofplunger which permits the fuel being distributed in a'regular and evenlayer over the lire-bed as it is reciprocated through the medium of theop-l erating mechanism.

Furthermore, an object of the invention is to provide means for drivingthe plunger and conveyer simultaneously or independently for permittingthe starting and stopping of the machinery through the agency of thesuitable clutch mechanism under the control of an operator.

Finally, an object of the invention is to produce a fuel-feedingapparatus which will possess advantages in points of efficiency anddurability, proving at the same time comparatively inexpensive toproduce and maintain.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists inthe details of construction and in the arrangement and combination ofparts to be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of the specification, wherein likecharacters denote corresponding parts in the several views, and inwhich- Figure 1 is a view and elevation of a portion of the lire-box andtender with the fuelto close by gravitation, the said door being free toswing inwardly, but being limited in the outward movement beyond avertical plane by means of a shoulder 4 on the outwardsurface of thedoor-casing. A suitable frame is stationed between the tender andfire-box and contains a rotary engine 6 of any ordinary construction, onthe shaft of which is keyed a sprocket wheel 7, driving thesprocket-chain 8, and the sprocket-chain 8 being run over thesprocketwheel 9, carried by one clutch member 10, which is journaled inthe frame. The clutch member 1() has a second'sprocket-wheel 11, whichthrough the medium of thechain 12 drives the shaft 13 of the conveyer14, the said conveyer being of any ordinary construction, but here shownas comprising a chain carryinga series of hooks or fingers 15, whichserve to drag the fuel into the hopper 16, which is mounted on the frame5. The conveyer works in a chute 17, eX- tending from the front end ofthe tender to the mouth of the hopper, as fully shown. Within the hopperis a plunger 18, which has side flanges 19 at its lower edges and saidflanges are supported by and guided in the approximately C-shaped tracks20, which are mounted longitudinally of the frame.

The plunger 18 has a recessed end to I eceive the fuel. The said endtapers from the base to the top and is slightly concaved in IOO suitablearea of the re-bed and that the deposit would be in an even layer. Theunder surface of the plunger is recessed from the rear end to a pointbeyond its longitudinal center, and a rod 21 is pivoted to a cross-bar22 in said recess, the said rod projecting from the end and beingconnected to the crank 24, which is formed with one bar 25 of theclutch. The outer end of the clutch-bar has an operating-lever 26,swiveled thereto, so that the clutch-bar 25 is moved with relation tothe clutch member 10 to connect or disengage the same. As here shown,the clutch is` of the friction type, the part l() having a socket toreceive the head of the member 25.

The clutch, the conveyer, the frame, and the engine may be of anydesired construction; but the form shown and described has been found tobe admirably adapted for the use intended.

In operation the plunger is withdrawn from the fire-box, and the clutchis thrown to disengage while the,conveyer is being operated to deliverthe fuel to the hopper onthe plunger, or the hopper may have an inclinedbottom, and the fuel might be fed continuously thereto while the plungeris in operation, it being understood that the capacity of the conveyerand the capacity of the plunger should be about equal in order to avoidundue accumulation of fuel within the hopper.

The construction, operation, and advantages will, it is thought, beunderstood from the foregoing description, it being noted that variouschanges may be made in the proportions and details of construction forsuccessfully carrying the invention into practice without departing fromits scope.

Having fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fuel-feeding apparatus, aline-box, a plunger having a taperedand concaved end `reciprocating with relation to the Bre-box,

frame and guides, a plunger reciprocating in the guides, the saidplunger having a tapered end for delivering the fuel, a hopper in whichthe plunger moves, a chute communicating with an engine-tender andleading to the hopper, and conveyer working in the chute and means forreciprocating the plunger and driving the conveyer.

4f. In a fuel-feeding apparatu, a plungers having atapered and recessedend adapted'to enter the lire-box of a furnace, and suitable frame andguides for the plunger, a hopper in which the plunger moves, and chuteland conveyer leading from a locomotive-tender to the hopper, a crankedclutch member anda connection therefrom to the plunger, a second clutchmember suitably driven, means whereby the conveyer is driven by thesecond-named clutch member and means for throwing the said clutch memberinto and out of engagement substantially as described. Y

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses, this 19th day of August, 1903.

WILLIAM H. STROUSE. Witnesses:

L. A. RoDeERs, SAM W. JONES.

